My Newborn Won't Sleep in the Crib

I totally disagree with the sleep trainer responses. It is so normal and ok for your 4 week old to want to be held. I recommend getting a wrap or sling and wearing your baby while they nap and you go about your business. As your baby gets older and more ready they can graduate to a basinette, swing or crib. I also really liked The Baby Sleep Book by Dr. Sears, lots of good info and GENTLE tips that don't involve crying it out (scientifically proven to not be good for infants).

This will pass, do what you need to do to get sleep and don't listen to people telling you that you are spoiling your precious baby by tending to his needs. At this age a baby's wants are a baby's needs; you CANNOT spoil him.

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This is really hard, but let him cry for a few nights. It will be very hard on you but they learn quickly at such a young age. Good luck!

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With my 4th child I broke down and hired a baby nurse - for that exact reason. It had been 8 days and I felt that I hadn't put him down. He nursed all the time and slept in my arms or on my chest. So this woman, or should I say angel, took him from my arms and told me that his days of sleeping against my heartbeat were over - if I ever wanted to be able to put him down that is. And with 3 others, I needed to put him down! So she put him in infant boot camp and ALWAYS put him down. On his back, side and even tummy (shhhh, don't tell anyone!)and if he cried and needed to be picked up, she soothed him and promptly put him back down. Granted, it is easy for me to say, since I wasn't the one actually struggling with it, but after a couple of days, he realized he was no longer going to get to sleep on mommy's warm chest (right next to the food source too) and he adapted. You just need to stick with it. If he is not sleeping, put him in a swing, a bouncy seat, whatever. But you must stop letting him sleep on you and dedicate a couple of days to "re-training" him. I am happy to report that my beautiful, 3 month old son sleeps for at least 2 full naps a day and then from 10-7. My only other advice is to read, if you already haven't, by Tracy Hogg, i think, called secrets of the Baby whisperer. Her theories are very similar to the baby nurse that I had and I think she was magic! Good luck.

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Hi S.,
Take an old fashioned wind up alarm clock that ticks. Wrap a
blanket around it to muffle the sound a bit and put it near the baby's head. Wrap the baby nice and snug in a warm blanket and place in the crib. The sound of the clock ticking is like hearing your heart beat and being nice and snug is like being still inside you. He will out grow it but putting some rolled up blankets around him to make him feel more secure will also help.
One of your blankets would work because it smells like you.
This is a trick my grandmother taught me and I hope it allows you to get some needed Mommy time.

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Woe woe woe.... 4 weeks old? Definitely nip this in the bud now. When the baby is clearly sleepy, half asleep, put him in the crib. He will probably startle and that's okay. Stay with him, caress him with your hands- his head, his belly, etc. and his pacifier (assuming you're using one, it does help.). Get a heartbeat CD or whatever makes that sound. Even a little night pal like the glow worm helps. Even if he's crying somewhat, talk to him lovingly and re-assure him that mommy is here, keep caressing him and maybe even sing a soft lullaby. His sleep will get the better of him and he will get used to it a lot quicker then you think. If he is hysterical crying, pick him back up, soothe him and put him back down-continuing the verbal soothing and touching. If he's really determined, he might get to hard crying a few times- just repeat. Exhausting and draining for you, but worth it compared to the longer term consequences of not doing so now. If he's just doing the complaining kind of crying, just keep soothing him without picking him up. Furthermore, obviously make sure he is comfortable. Diaper is changed, doesn't have gas, etc. But stick with it! Also, if you don't already have an infant swing, it is well worth it. As much as I was addicted to my new baby, I was very much aware to put her down often because I knew what probs others have had. But when they're that young, you only really have the bouncy chair thing and an infant swing. My baby is now 7 months and she is a very secure baby, great with people but fully aware who mommy is, can be by herself for extended periods of time playing happily- even if I walk out of the room. etc. You can do it! Feel free to e-mail me if there's anything else related you want to ask. Good luck!

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